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Daisy May ‘Dee’ Fries - April 08, 2010

Daisy May “Dee” Fries, of Benkelman, Neb., died Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman at the age of 78.
She was born May 11, 1931 to Frank and Hattie (Bevans) Silvester at Champion, Neb. and attended school near her home.
In August of 1952, Dee joined the Women’s Army Corp. where she obtained her GED. She received her honorable discharge in 1954 and returned to Nebraska where she attended the McCook Beauty Academy. Upon receiving her license in cosmetology, Dee moved to Benkelman where she worked for Vada Nicholson and then started her own beauty salon.
On Sept. 3, 1967, Dee was united in marriage to Walter A. Fries at Emmanuel U.B. Church in Imperial, Neb. They continued to live in Benkelman where Walter worked as a contractor and Dee continued her work as a cosmetologist.
Dee was very active in her community and also found time to help Walter with his finish carpentry work. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Benkelman and was a member of the Board of Trustees. Dee was also a member of the United Methodist Women, P.E.O., the Rebekah Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, the Benkelman Women’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary and was once treasurer of the Benkelman Library and co-president of the Dundy County Historical Society. Dee also love to quilt and was a member of the McCook Piecemaker Quilting Guild. She served as a board member of the Dundy County Senior Center and spent countless hours doing volunteer work at both the Dundy County and Chase County Senior Centers.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Frank and Hattie Silvester; her husband, Walter Fries; one sister, Helen; brothers, Lee, Glen, Frank, J.B. and infant brother, Jack; sisters-in-law, Oneta Silvester, Lillian Silvester, Clara Silvester and brother-in-law, Jim McDougal.
Survivors include her sisters, Bea Bauerle and husband, Don, of Champion, Bertha McDougal of Denver, Colo., Emma Enoch and husband, John, of Kansas; brothers, Bill Silvester of Champion, Mark Silvester and wife, Lois, of Schuyler, Neb.; brother-in-law, John Pitts; sister-in-law, Leona Silvester; Walter’s daughter, Phyllis and her sons, Mike, David, Greg, Bill; a special friend, Shirley Mullanix; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many beloved friends.
A memorial service to cele­brate Dee’s life was held Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with Rev. Brian Fong officiating.
Inurnment followed the service at the Benkelman Cemetery.
Memorials may be given in Dee’s name to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.